Dirty war and the "Disappeared"

One of the essentials of stepping into a new culture is to know the history of that community:  its traumas and struggles.  This is especially true of Argentina.  Her recent history includes a military dictatorship that shaped the perspective of that country.  One piece of that history that the JEMS volunteer worker or visitor must not miss are the stories surrounding the "dirty war" and the desaparecidos or "disappeared."  Today, March 24th, is their Day of Remembrance.

All of the shops are closed today. It’s a national holiday throughout Argentina. Thirty-eight years ago the country saw the beginning of the last military junta, or last dictatorship, in South America’s second largest country.

It was a disaster from the start . . . the military dictatorship under the leadership of General Videla, went on a killing spree. Over the next seven years, over 30,000 people would be made to disappear in Buenos Aires. Members of the opposition, students who seemed to be left-wing, even pregnant mothers, were picked up, and taken to secret torture camps. When the military was done with them, the victim was flown in an airplane over Rio de Plata and tossed out.

Today marks the Day of Remembrance for Argentina. The start of the terror and bloodshed which would define a country for decades.

Read more.

An interesting footnote in the historical remembrance of the desaparecidos is that the group included seventeen Nikkei Argentinians.  

JEMS South America Department takes very seriously the opportunity that has been afforded to volunteer in service to the Nikkei community in Argentina.  We have been able to partner with three of the major Nikkei churches in Buenos Aires.  We are also grateful for the new friendship we have with Centro Nikkei Argentino, one of the preemininent Nikkei community organizations in the country.  We look forward to continued partnership with these various groups.  We are also mindful of the cultural and historical context in which we serve.  Please pray with us for the opening of doors and new ministry opportunities.

Thank you,
Pr John